Changing a mobile device often causes panic due to the risk of losing important data, and the first thing users worry about is the safety of the phone book. Transferring contacts from one smartphone to a new device Samsung is a procedure that can take from a couple of minutes to half an hour, depending on the chosen method and the volume of records. Modern versions of the operating system Android offer built-in tools that make this process as transparent and safe as possible even for inexperienced users.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of data migration: from cloud synchronization to direct cable. You'll learn how to avoid duplicates, what to do if names are displayed in hieroglyphs, and which method is right for your situation. It doesn’t matter whether you are switching from the old Xiaomi or Huawei to the flagship line Galaxy S, the algorithms of actions remain similar, but have their own nuances.
Preparing devices for data transfer
Before you begin During the active transfer phase, you must ensure that both devices are ready for use. Charge both phones to at least 60-70%, as the process of transferring a large amount of information can significantly consume battery power. Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on on both devices if you plan to use wireless synchronization methods.
A critically important step is account verification Google. If your contacts have not previously been saved to the cloud, they may be stored solely in the memory of your old phone or on the SIM card. Go to the contacts settings on your old device and check where exactly the entries are saved. To be safe, it is best to export them in advance to .vcf or synchronize with a cloud profile.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any data manipulation, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup on your old device. This will allow you to restore information if the transfer process fails or files are accidentally deleted.
It is also worth freeing up some space on your new smartphone Samsung, although contacts take up negligible memory. However, if you plan to transfer not only numbers, but also call history or messages through proprietary utilities, having free space will be a prerequisite for a successful operation.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Synchronization via Google account: the most reliable method
Using the ecosystem Google is the most versatile and preferred way for Android users. This method does not require cables, special applications, or physical proximity of devices to each other. All you need is a stable Internet connection and a valid Gmail account.
On your old phone, open the settings and find the section Accounts and archiving or simply Accounts. Select your Google profile and make sure the switch next to Contacts is active. If synchronization was disabled, turn it on and click the "Sync Now" button. After this, all numbers will be uploaded to the company’s servers.
On a new smartphone Samsung sign in to the same Google account. The system will automatically pull up all saved data from the cloud. This process may take some time depending on your internet speed and the number of entries in your phone book. Typically, contacts appear in the application almost instantly after authorization.
If the contacts do not appear immediately, go to the Contacts application, click on the menu (three bars) → Manage contacts → Sync contacts.
The main advantage of this method is that your data will always be safe, even if you lose physical access to both phones. You can access the numbers from any computer or tablet by simply going to the website contacts.google.com. This makes the method ideal for long-term storage of information.
Google synchronization is the only method that guarantees the safety of data in the event of breakdown or loss of any of the physical devices.
Using the Samsung Smart Switch application
For device owners Samsung the company has developed a specialized utility Smart Switch, which greatly simplifies data migration from any Android smartphone. This application allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages, home screen settings and even application layouts.
Install the application Smart Switch on both devices. On a new phone Galaxy it is often preinstalled in the folder Samsung. Launch the app on both devices. On the old device, select the role “Data Sender”, and on the new Samsung - “Data Receiver”.
Next you need to select the connection method. Three options are available:
- 📡 Wireless connection: devices find each other via Wi-Fi Direct. This is convenient, but can be slower with a large amount of data.
- 🔌 USB cable: requires a special adapter (usually USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to Micro-USB), which is often included with new flagships.
- 💾 Backup: Restoring data from a previously created copy on a computer or in the cloud.
After establishing a connection, the system will prompt you to select the types of data to transfer. Make sure the checkbox next to "Contacts" is checked. You can also select specific fields if you don't want to transfer, for example, email addresses or birthdays associated with cards.
⚠️ Attention: When using a cable connection, make sure you are using an original cable or a certified accessory. Cheap cables may not support data transfer, working only in charging mode.
What to do if Smart Switch freezes?
If the transfer process has stopped at 90% or is frozen, do not panic. Try canceling the operation on both devices, rebooting them, and trying again, choosing the wireless method instead of cable, or vice versa. Sometimes turning off power saving during the transfer helps.
Transfer via SIM card: classic method
Despite the development of cloud technologies, transfer via SIM card remains relevant, especially when switching from old feature phones or budget Android models that do not have a Google account. This method does not require the Internet, but has significant limitations on the volume and quality of stored information.
On your old device, go to the "Contacts" application, open the settings menu and select Import/Export contacts. Next, click "Export to SIM card". The system will warn you that additional fields such as addresses, notes and second numbers may be lost.
After the export is complete, carefully remove the SIM card from the old phone and insert it into the new smartphone Samsung. On the new device, go back to contact management, select "Import" and specify the source as a SIM card, and the destination as a Google account or phone memory.
| Characteristics | SIM card | Google Account | Smart Switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Low | High | Medium/High |
| Saving photos | No | Yes | Yes |
| Network dependence | No | Wi-Fi required | No (cable) |
| Record limit | 250-500 | No | No |
The main disadvantage of this method is the limit on the number of characters in the contact name. Often long names are truncated and special characters may not display correctly. In addition, modern SIM cards have a limit on the number of entries, usually not exceeding 250-500 numbers.
Export and import VCF files via Bluetooth
If you do not have access to the Internet, and using a cable or Smart Switch for some reason is impossible, the good old one will come to the rescue Bluetooth. This method involves creating a file with all contacts and transferring it over the air.
On the sending device, open contacts, select the export option and save the data to internal memory in the format .vcf (vCard). The file will be named something like 00001.vcf or contacts.vcf. Find this file through the file manager in the "Downloads" or "Contacts" folder.
Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair. Send the created file from the old device to the new Samsung. After accepting the file on the receiving side, the system will automatically offer to import the found contacts into the phone book.
This method is convenient because it allows you to transfer contacts even to a device that does not support logging into your Google account right now (for example, if you have forgotten your password). The file .vcf can also be sent to yourself by email or saved to a flash drive as an intermediate step.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring a large contacts file via Bluetooth, the process may take several minutes. Do not turn off the screen or minimize the transfer window so that the connection does not break due to energy saving.
De-duplicate and merge records
Often after transferring data, users are faced with the problem of duplication: the same person may appear twice or thrice in the list. This happens if contacts were saved on the SIM card, in the phone memory, and in the cloud at the same time.
Smartphones Samsung have a built-in function to solve this problem. Open the Contacts application, click on the menu (three horizontal lines) and select Contact management. Next, find the option “Merge duplicate contacts.”
The system will offer two options: merge all contacts automatically or select pairs manually. The automatic mode works quite smartly, matching records by phone numbers and names. After confirming the operation, all duplicates will be combined into a single card with complete information from all sources.
If the automatic merging did not work correctly, you can manually edit the contact card. Click on the desired contact, select "Edit" and in the action menu, find the "Merge with another contact" option. This will allow you to decide for yourself what information to leave as priority.
Regular cleaning of duplicates through Samsung's built-in tools improves the speed of searching for contacts and prevents confusion when making calls.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why are some contacts displayed in hieroglyphs after transfer?
This is an encoding issue that often occurs when transferring from very old phones or via a SIM card. Try opening such a contact, clicking "Edit" and manually renaming it, saving it in your Google account. In the future, avoid saving names on the SIM card.
Is it possible to transfer call history along with contacts?
Yes, but only through the app Smart Switch. Standard Google sync only transfers numbers and names. To transfer call logs and SMS, use a cable connection in the Smart Switch utility by selecting the appropriate menu items.
What to do if the new Samsung does not see the old phone via Bluetooth?
Make sure that visibility for all devices is enabled on both devices. Try deleting the old pairing in the Bluetooth settings and pairing again. Also check if airplane mode is enabled on one of the phones.
How long does it take to transfer 1000 contacts?
When using Google sync or Smart Switch via cable, this process takes from 1 to 3 minutes. Via Bluetooth or SIM card, the time can increase to 10-15 minutes depending on the recording speed on the card and the Bluetooth version.